Prince William, Jacinda Ardern's surprise hospital visit 'best medicine' for young Kiwi boy

Thursday, 25 April 2019

Prince William and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have visited a recovering 5-year-old victim of the Christchurch terror attacks during a surprise visit to Auckland's Starship Hospital today.

Sitting on the foot of her bed, she asked the Duke of Cambridge, 'Do you have a daughter?' to which he replied, 'yeah, she's called Charlotte… she's about the same age as you'.

While at the children's hospital, the Duke and Ardern also made a young Kiwi boy's day.

Seven-year-old Kellan Easton and his mother Mel Easton were shocked to see an increased security presence in the ward, before realising the Duke of Cambridge was in the building.

* Prince William to attend Auckland War Memorial Museum Anzac civic service

* Prince William to visit Christchurch terror attack survivors next week**

'It was an awesome surprise,' Easton told Stuff.

'We were not told anything, (there were) just a lot of important looking people on the ward and loads of security, so we looked out our bedroom door and there they are.'

The Duke and Prime Minister's 'relaxed' meeting with Easton and her son felt 'just like a mum or dad talking to their own child'.

'Definitely a day Kellan and I will never forget. The best medicine, right!'

With a buzz in the room, the Duke knelt down to speak with Kellan, commenting on his space invader pyjamas and asking him how he was feeling.

Easton described the whole experience as 'precious', with the prince kneeling down to speak with Kellan.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with 7-year-old Kellan Easton during a visit to Auckland's Starship Hospital with Prince William.

'He asked him his name and asked him if he was feeling better,' she said.

Easton even reminisced with the Prime Minister about 'how we use to play space invaders as kids and how he doesn't know what they are'.

Completely 'blown away' by the meeting, Easton recounted how Ardern approached them to take a photo.

'Jacinda approached us first and Kellan was super chuffed. And then she said 'pass your phone and I'll take one of Kellan with Prince William'.

'They are both outstanding role models for Kiwi kids - both full of love, compassion and empathy.'

The young boy, who is in hospital for an ear infection, knew who they both were and was among only a handful to meet and speak with the Duke.

'There was a family with a baby he spoke to… they left the ward after us.'

The Duke of Cambridge is in New Zealand to visit the victims of the Christchurch terror attack.